Hello again, Well, my scabs and scars are shrinking and even though I still look pretty knarly on the beach with the bruises in my bikini, everyone nods understandingly and mouths the words, "Motorbike?" The small comforts of these little islands. Seems like everyone has had an incident with a motorbike.
So on Mykonos, I am taking the bus. It's cheap, runs often and much safer (knock on wood).
I arrived yesterday and had a cute little apartment right in the main town which is near the ferry landing. My apartment reminded me of a boat cabin with a shower in a drop-down bathroom that was mounted just on the wall with no stall the way boats have their showers. You can spray water everywhere without guilt in that bathroom, where the other bathrooms here have a 4 inch tile on the floor that is supposed to keep the water from spreading on to the floor. (good luck, maybe if you use a drip method you won't get the floor completely soaked.) My friend from Wales in Kos Island couldn't get over their shower systems in Greece because of the standing water problem that results from it spilling all over the floor. There is another drain in the middle of the floor, but the whole floor gets wet. It's a mystery. Maybe some reader out there knows why the Greeks (and some French) prefer this shower.
Gosh, enough about showers.. This island really surprised me. It's notoriously touristic and the "party" island of Greece and it's actually incredibly beautiful and charming - yes H.S. and A. dB. you were right, right, right. I love it here. Didn't think I would, but it's a very cool place- even with the tourists. Contrasted to Santorini, it's pretty mellow, even at night in town-- the party seen is more like people promenading through the narrow little streets decked out in gorgeous beach dress clothes and shopping at 1, 2, 3am. Yes, shopping at 2 am. I've never seen this before. The bars and tavernas are beautiful, finely decorated- everything is chic here, but relaxed at the same time. Hard to explain but it's a fascinating place to people watch.
So, I've extended my time here a couple more days to heal my ankle and arm-- the beaches are the prettiest I've seen yet. Truly beautiful, even if there are cafes and umbrellas, it's a very cool place.
How this blog related to Feldenkrais? I do have to explain my work to people on a daily basis which is always an interesting experience. Sometimes, I think I should just say I'm an astronaut or something they know but is unusual. We'll see.
Hello again, I find myself at these Internet Cafes often these days as I am arranging my plans for the Turkey part of this adventure. I have a former client who used a travel agent in Turkey and I am using this agent and find myself daily at the internet firming up my itinerary with "Lutfi". So it gives me a chance to write a little to you.
Today, I went to the far beach which involves taking a bus and then a boat along the coastline. Yesterday, I went to "Super Paradiso" which is a beautiful, beautiful beach with gold sand and tourquoise water that is perfect for swimming. My healing arm and leg was quite weak and sore for swimming, but the water was helpful and by the end of the afternoon, I was feeling better from the ocean water.
The beach I visited today is much more remote and doesn't have a live DJ playing music or a fine restaurant. It was quiet and along rough sandstone rocks with a lovely gold sand beach. I've brought a little of the coarse sand with me to take back. It's very special and very healing place. Everyone was calm at the beach and I think I'll spend the whole day there tomorrow reading my next Kazanstakis book. I read Zorba the Greek earlier in the trip and now reading The last Temptation of Christ. He's a fabulous writer and philosopher, and wonderful to read while I'm in Greece!
I really like this country. The people are so friendly and warm. The men are very charming, flirtatious, but very respectful of women. As a single woman, I have felt wonderful being here and must say that it's been very easy to travel. The other day I was hobbling to town and a cute Greek man stopped with his motorbike to give me a ride. He took me all the way to town like a galant chauffeur and was so sweet. I wish American men would come over here and take lessons!
As I mentioned, everyday I have opportunities to explain my work with Feldenkrais to people. On the boat today, I talked with an Australian woman who was complaining of how frightened she was of her low back going out during her trip. I showed her my little towel trick, using two towels or blankets to straddle like a log or saddle and she took careful note of that and said she would write this down and check the internet for Practitioners in Meldbourne. It's hard to give a lesson in 5 mintues, but it's a fun challenge.
Well, tomorrow is my last day here and I'll be leaving at 3 in the morning-- just as things wind down a little here. Such an incredible place, I must say, I love it here.
Annie Thoe is an Assistant Feldenkrais Trainer and Practitioner in the Feldenkrais Method with 22 years of experience in bodywork. She has taught numerous modalities of massage therapy, supervised students and practitioners, and teaches locally and nationally. She is on the Board of Directors for the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, Washington. In addition to her outdoor naturalist study, Annie has an extensive background in martial arts, sports, and music.
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April, 2007
